Cycling shoes for BMX champions

Racing into the future with Lake

Yes, we all know how specific cycling shoes need to be for road cycling and for trail and off-road riders. How your cycling shoes need to be pain free and performance orientated. However, did you know that Lake cycling shoes are also used by some of the best BMX racers in the world.

Carly Kane is a young and vibrant American BMX racer, with a constant smile on her face and positive spirit that helped to guide to 6th place in her first ever Elite World Championships. Born in Indiana, in the mid-west USA, Carly cannot remember her first bike, save for it being from Walmart and probably pink! Having been promised a Hamster if she rode the bike, the challenge was set for Carly! Thankfully though, her dad raced moto-cross, and this adrenaline led sport helped to guide Carly from Hamster caring duties, onto the BMX racetracks aged only 8 years of age.

Talking with Carly, she laughs when recalling her dad thought that BMX would be a cheaper sport for her to follow. Years later, the success and travelling have probably proved otherwise! Her sister was initially a fellow racer but decided on tennis rather than bikes; whilst Carly has progressed to being one of the most exciting BMX racers in the world today.

Training is gaining

For such a short race in terms of time, BMX track is ultra-dynamic and explosive and can lead to some serious injuries. Carly recalls her worst injury being in the 2022 World’s in Chile; falling onto the track and hitting her head, causing a seizure and concussion, alongside a crushed collarbone. Injuries such as this require a tough mindset and focused spirit. They also require some significant training to return to the track.

Power is a key component of BMX racing, with the immediate and explosive nature of the races. In the past, Carly did lots of gym work but has cut back on this aspect since joining forces with experienced Olympic standard coach and former Olympic rider from 2016. This new and targeted training regime has added new elements to her racing skills, with her coach also being a current Vet Pro BMX racer, meaning that there’s a better understanding of the issues and pressures that Carly faces in her training regime.

As we talk and Carly’s enthusiasm and focus for riding and training come across, I ask her how she builds in rests. Carly doesn’t strike you as being a person who wants to sit still – and she confirms this to me. ‘I know that I need to learn to enjoy breaks and to give myself time to heal. My family do so many activities. I can go roller blading, hiking, tennis, snow-boarding surfing… lots of things to relax me more between sessions – I know, it’s kind of a crazy restingregime! Unfortunately, my family is super active – as I am - which makes relaxing and resting even harder. I always want to go go go!’

To many people, this probably doesn’t sound much like relaxing. However, it’s this level of focus and dedication – and physicality - that took Carly to a second place in the US nationals, and that amazing 6th place in the worlds. This is a young athlete that wants to live life to the full, and to do so in a positive way. It’s inspiring to listen to Carly and to watch her eyes light up as she talks about her home life and competing. She’s a truly inspiring individual and will undoubtedly build a great following across the BMX Racing community.

Setting goals for the future

BMX racing is a tricky sport for the athletes. Whilst their training regime and dedication to their sport is second to none, it doesn’t yet carry the kudos of other sports – including within the spectrum of cycling. When the Paris Olympics came along, and despite having 30 slots, the USA team only took 7 athletes, and Carly missed out. However, this constantly smiling, warm and enthusiastic young woman is quietly determined that when LA 28 comes along in three short years, she’ll be following the team flag around the pending ceremony.

One of the great difficulties for athletes such as Carly is the lack of prize money for world-leading athletes. They rely heavily on sponsors and sponsorship – both for equipment and for the high costs relating to global travel as a leading racer.

Strong cycling shoes for BMX racers

As we talk further, Carly tells me how she’s tried several other cycling shoe brands over the years, before taking to Lake. When she started racing, her cleat position was as forward as possible, simply because it was comfortable, but as she tells me, ‘I learned that you actually generate more power on the bike with the cleat further back a bit on the foot.’

One issue that Carly frequently encountered with the other previous brands that she used, was that the soles would quickly give way and break; or the shoe simply wouldn’t withstand a tough race meet. ‘Typically, other shoes just wouldn’t survive crashes, even small ones.’

Talking further about the fit and the need to get that immediate power transfer, Carly tells me how these other branded cycling shoes also created pain and hot spots, numbing her feet when she ratcheted up the BOAs. It was time for a change if she was to benefit and add those all-important gains. Thankfully, as Carly tells me; Lake provides this comfort and pain free racing experience.

Adaptability and ruggedness in cycling shoes

One aspect that Carly and I discuss about her Lake cycling shoes in the tough environment of a BMX racetrack is their ruggedness and toughness:

‘In terms of Lake, they simply seem to be made better and last better through crashes! They’re stiff and durable and fit me better. I can ratchet them tightly like a second skin around my foot, ready to explode from the gate, and I’m still super-comfortable!’

Listening to this young athlete, filled with positivity, I’m struck by how she not only smiles constantly, but how she laughs when mentioning the durability of our Lake cycling shoe in relation to the numerous crashes! Carly takes this in her stride as part of the challenge; and it’s this attitude and inner strength that will undoubtably take her to the very top of BMX racing.

MX333 – the cycling shoe choice of BMX champions

Finding the right cycling shoe for BMX racing isn’t an easy process. AS Carly points out; many brands simply don’tdesign a shoe that can withstand the pressure – literally! The best shoes for BMX racing need to have a stiff and ultra-strong carbon sole; be well fitted and designed to wrap the natural foot shape, whilst holding the heel and foot firmly in place to deliver that necessary explosive start.

Carly is currently using our Lake MX333 – a super-adaptable and race-ready shoe for several cycling disciplines.

The MX333 is evolution of the mountain bike shoe and has the required durability for BMX racing. It comes with our legendary comfort, performance and with a dash of style sewn in – perfect for the custom models that Carly races in. We’ve used over 40 years of experience, alongside innovative tech such as a Carbitex arch support panel, and a heat mouldable internal Thermaform Carbon fiber heel counter, to give the most secure fit possible.

The Lake MX333 wraps Carly’s race-winning feet in a performance oriented, lighter-weight second-skin, whilst giving her breathability and increased durability, alongside our legendary Lake cycling shoe comfort. Her BMX race journey so far has taught Carly that there’s no second place in BMX race shoe choices; and, together with Lake, she’s focused on an Olympic future and a podium place at La28!